While cell phones have helped add incredible convenience to our everyday lives, these little gadgets may be costing you extra cash for your car insurance rates. As the use of cell phones for calling and texts have become increasingly popular, reports of cell phone-related accidents are on the rise. To be sure that the use of your cell phone doesn’t impact your insurance costs, find out more about safety tips and local driving laws.
Driving and Cell Phone Laws
As more accidents are being caused by the distractions from cell phone usage while driving, a rising number of states have prohibited the use of cell phones when operating a vehicle.
Currently, 5 states (as well as Washington D.C.) ban drivers from using any type of hand-held cell phone:
- Oregon
- Utah
- California
- Connecticut
- Washington
- Additional states with specific restrictions (IE: age / location / construction areas)
15 states (including Washington D.C.) prohibit texting while driving.
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Virginia
- Additional states with specific restrictions (IE: age / location / construction areas)
How Cell Phones Can Raise Auto Insurance Rates
The distraction of a phone, while dialing, talking, or texting, often forces drivers drift their focus from the road-even if it’s just for a moment. This distraction can result in minor or major accidents, while the use of a cell phone in prohibited states (while driving) can lead to a rather pricey ticket. As auto insurance rates are partially determined by each driver’s reliability and responsibility on the road, any records or reports of accidents can almost undoubtedly hike one’s rates. Adding to that, if a driver is issued any cell phone related or driving related ticket, the auto insurance provider may decide that a driver is more likely to pose a threat to themselves or others. If this is determined, then a provider can hike rates in order to prevent any financial loss in the case of an accident / damage.
